had brought that little Prince into the world with pains incredible she choaked in her Convulsions and the first hower of her childbed gave the last unto her life Now though Alcidaris were not ensirely so much tender of her at she of him nor had the just same feelings that she had yet could not chuse but by that unexpected death receive most strong impressions great was the grief he shewed and whatsoever pomp the quality of so great and vertuous a Princesse as she was requir'd did wait upon his mourning and her Funerals But as there is no wound however it may seem incurable but time may heal this which Alcidaris received was not so great as that there needed a whole age to comfort him for after one year ended he became most passionably enamored of the Queen Anaxareta who by the death of her brother Spimantus newly being arriv'd was heir unto the Kingdom of Dulcinda which does on the one side border on the King my fathers Countries and on Persia on the other The reason why so passionately he pursu'd that Love was that besides his pleasure there was profit in it and thought that by uniting Dulcinda to his other Kingdoms he should be an equal powerful neighbour to the Persian Perswaded by these reasons but more by love that forced him he sent one named Pirobus and of the ablest of his Kingdom in Embassage to the Queen Anaxareta He was receiv'd as coming from so great a Prince with much magnificence but wondred greatly that the answer he received was no more favorable She only told him thus that the King of Cambaye had done her a great deal of honour but that the King her brother being so lately dead and having scarce wip'd off her tears it could not be she should so soon forget him nor in such haste run from his Funerals to her own espousals and therefore pray'd the King his Master not to hold it strange that she desired more time to think thereof This Embassador who was a man of great discretion and knew the extream passion of Alcidaris resting but poorly satisfied with this answer and knew his Master would be likewise so bethought him that of Force some greater reason must restrain the Queen than of her brothers death who almost two years since had died and should have caus'd her greater joy than sorrow for which cause he makes adresses to the chiefest Statist there and dives into him to discover if he could his Mistriss meanings he shews him how the King of Cambaye was her neer neighbour and one of the most powerful Monarchs of the Indies That over and above his greatness and his wealth he had all qualities which might commend a man to a fair Ladies acceptation that in all Asia his Mistresse could not finde a fitter match that there needed no long time to think upon a matter which depended only on her will And that he knew not what to infer by the coldness of her answer save that she loved some other since she neglected the desires of a Prince so mighty and one who could not be but a great strength unto her This States-man who desired to pay him with more solid reasons than the Queen had done thought t was no matter of importance if he told him what he guest she thought which was that being of a mighty spirit and knowing that Alcidaris had had a son by the Queen Berenica who as himself was call'd Alcadaris and should when he were dead possesse his Kingdoms she could not abide that those that should proceed from her should ever happen to be seconds or in rank or in affection and being able to dispose of the Kingdom of Dulcinda she thought she might do better to chuse out a Gentleman her Subject who should be her creature and by whom she might have children heirs to her possessions than to match a King of whose inheritance she could not see a hope for hers And this said he in my opinion is the cause that backs the Queen for she is not so ignorant both of the qualities and vertues of the King your Master but that she holds him for the man of most advantage for her choice save only that his heir is born already Pirobus more satisfi'd herewith than by the reasons given him from the Queen though very little notwithstanding seeing how far from giving comfort to his Master returns towards him and from point to point gives him account of his Embassage Alcidaris as well as possible he could dissembled the disquiet this il news procur'd him and I know not if his love oblig'd him or that as yet some little hope remained for him But as if heaven would favour his desires about eight or ten months end report ran all about that the young Prince Alcidaris was very sick and that his tender age not able to defend it self against the strong assaults of a continued Feavor death had delivered him The sorrow which the King put on was so great that for the space of forty daies he suffred not himself to be seen by any creatures except Pirobus his faithful Counsellour The noise of his great losse immediately was spread throughout and came to the Queen Anaxaretas ears who seeing that great obstacle remov'd desir'd no greater thing in all the world than that alliance and in a word to end Pirobus being sent the second time had his desire and some few daies after did Alcidaris possesse both Anaxaretas beauties and her Kingdoms peacefully Now Madam from that happy Marriage I am sprung and named Anaxander from my Mothers name Almost about the same time I was born Ametista Queen of Citor and only sister to the King my father was delivered of Piroxenus whom you see here under name of Callistenus we were bred up and taught together and besides our age and blood which knit us in a perfect friendship nature augmented it by so exact a correspondency of humours as never was observed the least disparity in our opinions and truly since our friendship hath foundation but on vertue only t is not to be admired that from a cause eternal such effects of everlastingness are seen The wise Evander from my tendrest youth had me in government and Alcidaris who much desired to frame me after the example of that honorable man drew him from the Province of Carmanie on very great expence for he was Master of some nine or ten Languages and ignorant of nothing that another man did know He had not only care of me but likewise had an eye to Piroxenus whom he found exceeding capable of his good doctrines and we both so well profited by his instructions as we soon learned all the secrets of the Persian and Arabique tongues which travel mostly throughout all the Indies this side Ganges Besides the recreations of our minds we exercis'd our bodies likewise and familiarly disguising our selves on daies of ceremony or delight we got the prizes with our Lances and at Fencing too and
sole consideration which you stuck on was that by the Queen Berenisa my first wife I had a Son and that my heir already born you would not suffer that your Children should be second in affection or degree to any This being return'd me by my faithfull Pirobus I seem'd to take no notice of it but after some time was past wee both agree'd together that if I meant to compass my desire in that sute where-on depended all my happiness I must needs send away my Son and spread a noyse that he was dead And judge you Madam to what extremity I loved you being compell'd to take so contrary a resolution to the lawes of nature For this cause I commanded a Coffin to be laid with Royall pomp into the earth and suffered none in forty dayes to see me that I might better act the part of a lost Father Mean while I gave my Son in charge to Pirobus whose name was like mine own Alcidaris not to be sent so far away but that I might when I desir'd hear often of him He had acquaintance with an Arabian Merchant and an honest man named Eurimedes who was most frequent in the City of Deu one of the best havens of my Kingdom and teaded to Cambaye where at that time he was To him he went and gave that pledge into his custody which for your love I had abandoned He told the Merchant how he had receiv'd that child from a woman of great quality commended him to his best cate and that he might be bred among his own and told him one day it m ight happen that a worthy recompence might grow unto him In the inferior because he might be known again and for he had no mark about him Pirobus made one upon his arm where he imprinted the Arms of Cambaye with a needles point and the joyce of a certain herb wch never wears away which done he does again commend him to the Merchant whom that he might the better love the child and be more carefull of him he enjoyned to beslow his own name of Eurimedes upon him In so much as very often I have heard of him also known the Merchants care as well for the great pâ—yâ— cause him every year to receive as for the love he bears to Pirobus to whom he thinks he is obliged for that favour But Madam said the King moreover the Gods can bear me witness I had tane your deer Anaxander into so great affection as I forgot the love I ought his Brother and if he had well behav'd himself I think his humor which beyond all others that I know delighted me together with my wonderfull affection to your self had so much won upon me as I had made him heir to all my three Crowns but seeing he hath shewn himself so giddy-headed and so ill advised as to leave me to pursue his foolish fantasies as well as his Cousin whom so deerly I had loved having no other prop to rest on left me Think not a miss Madam that I send Pirobus to Diu to seek me out Alcidaris 't is now no longer fit he should be hid nor that on my part I should more conceal the love I bear my proper Son These my deer children said Evander are the very words the King himself delivered who without alteration at the Queens complaints and tears dispatched Pirobus immediately Being ariv'd at Diu he wonderfully amazed the Merchant when he told him that ye child whom he so long had bred was heir unto the King The noise hereof was spread incontinently through the City and all the inhabitants came in throngs to kisse their Princes hands Pirobus who had not seen him since his first delivery into the Merchants hands could know him only by the mark he graved on his arm The young man more than any other grew in admiration at the honors which were done him For he believ'd he was that Merchants son and look'd for nothing lesse than to be honor'd as a Prince He was by Pirobus conducted to the City of Campanel and carried both the Merchant and his children with him on whom he afterward caus'd goodly Offices to be conferred As soon as his arrival was but known the greatest of the Court went forth to meet him and the King with testimonies of exceeding joy received him but this did not long endure For that young Prince was so ill bred and had among those people of inferiour quality who had kept him gotten such evill habits as that his presence served but to make you more lamented but above all the Queen could not endure that in your stead a beast should have such worship who by his filthy carriage had made himself contemptible to all the world The King commanded me to take him to my Government But finding in him no appearance of common sense and seeing him too old to form his mind to any good I did despair ever to make of him a civill man and you may think my dear children whether I finding in that poor Prince spirit nothing but thornes and briers instead of goodly seeds of vertue which I found in you I had great cause to be delighted with my charge The King who in that ill made Picture could not know himself made Pirobus a thousand times to swear he was the same which he had from him As for my self seeing I lost my labour and my time in teaching him besides the finall d fire or none at all I had thereto being afflicted as I was for losse of you and dreaming nothing â—â—sse than ere again to see you I aâ—th last resolv'd to go and seek ye out in what part of the World soever ye might be And that which more old god me thereto was that knowing all the secâ—eâ—s of Astrology and having by that Art foreseen that at two severall times ye should run hazard of a violent death I would make tryall if by my diligent and carefull seeking after you I might divert the mischiefs which the Sâ—â—rs had threatened yeâ— withall Besides my own affection thereunto I was incited by the general complaints of all the better sort of people in the Kingdom who could not without sorrow yield obedience to a Prince of so ill making and so evill doings and who already did begin to apprehend his future domination Therefore as soon I had known no news was to be hâ—d of you at sea and that as many as had gone after you were come again no wiser than they went remembring I had in secret heard your meditations on the Princess Orizâ—a's Picture and that I had often heard ye though in and out to name the word Narsinga I imagined you might be gone disguised thither and have passed over land that you might crosse through that unhappy Kingdom of Decan whereof I remembred to have heard you mention so many wonders of their gallantry But unfortunate as ye are by what I see ye have met nofavored me by my arrivall here at Visaporus just
with I know not what kinde of obliging neglect which made him know you disapprov'd my rashness but condemn'd it not that you counterfeited much anger with me and him also who had brought you the news of my Love but that you forbare not however to read my Letter which with a feigned action of disdaign you opened and presently gave him back again without saying ought else to him than Go tell thy Master that his too great boldness does not please me and bid him call to mind I am the daughter of a King But Sir said Almerin at the recitall which he made of that adventure Assure your self the fair Orazia loves you she could not hide from me the least thought of her heart her eyes reveal'd her most secret purposes and though they had been shut up too as was her mouth I should have found that love was mixed with that blood which came so often up into her cheeks The Princess very well remembring with what innocency that action had passed when she had counterfeited anger against Almerin and that with indeed a feigned anger she had opened that letter which she had a mind to see because to say truth she even at that time burnt for love of Anaxauder she could not chuse but laugh and blush at once and the Prince Anaxander being by that natural shamefastness sufficiently assured of the truth thereof proceeded thus in his discourse You have known all Madam said he whatsoever hath since passed in that Court and that as well which does concern my love as that which toucheth Piroxenus melancholy who would be hardly seen in any company and cloathed in a long and mourning habit which yet more his heart put on did plant a grief and sorrow in the minds of all that saw him You saw how notwithstanding the most strong commands given by the King your father against single Combates whereunto those of this Kingdom more than all I know are most addicted and which but yesterday with so much earnestnesse was reinforced I slew that proud Lerian who through his jealousie of the extraordinary favors I received from the generous Aronthus chalenged me who thought I had diverted from him those affections he pretended to deserve and how after that Combate I had enough to do to save me from the rigor of the Law if the Prince your brother had not engag'd himself in my affairs and urg'd the service I had done him You have I say seen all these things Madam and divers others which I cannot but unnecessarily repeat and therefore mean to tell you only what you do not know A little before that news came to the King your father that those two revolted slaves the perfidious Rozalcan and his brother not contented to have made themselves Kings and absolute Lords of the whole Kingdom of Decan grown proud in their successes would yet more advance their Victories even to assault the King your fathers power from whom they newly had usurp'd and most unjustly taken the Country of Canara with those three goodly Cities Onor Mangalor and Baticalus which bordered on their neighbourhood and lay convenient for them a little I say before this ill news arriv'd at Court we were in a maze to see comming towards us Neander whom we were forc'd to leave by reason of his wound in the besieged City who assured us that the Princesse Orixa whom we mourned for was well alive and more than ever beautiful I will not dwell in telling you after what fashion sorrowfull Piroxenus did receive this happy news which at a suddain overcomming him thought by excesse of that unhop'd for joy to work the same effects upon his heart that sorrow did and truly Madam I apprehended it my self with such contentment for his sake that I was like to fall into a Feavor by the extraordinary motion of my spirits But because we both made shew to doubt the truth of what he told us so contentfull though related by a servant of as perfect credit as fidelity Neander for our better satisfaction made us a discourse as I remember thus of all had past at Visaporus since we left it Know Sirs said he that as soon as they had carryed me into the besieged City and that I had caused the bodies of the two Princes Araxus and Demonax to be carried with me to have them buried according to the order you gave in their fathers burying place Desiring to acquit my self of such other commands as ye had given me as soon as I was laid in my bed and that my wound was drest I sent to entreat the wise Evander and the Princesse Nurse to come unto me to declare them your intentions which I in person could not execute Although the old man were exceedingly pleas'd to understand of your safe escape out of the danger of that sally which ye undertook yet was he extremely afflicted that he was enfore'd to lead his life so far off from ye As for the Nurse I cannot chuse but wonder that she had not died a thousand times of grief since first she thought her dear and beautious Mistresse lost but when she went into her Chamber to perform towards her her last offices with grave Evandes only in her company she fell to admiration that when clasping her within her arms and with her tears bedewing all her face she found a kinde of respiration and that she mixt a sigh with hert Immediately she clap'd her hand upon her heart where she perceiv'd the warmth was all retir'd and holding of her arm she felt her pulse began again to beat Evander cry'd she out in great amazementâ— come and draw neerer I believe the Princess is not dead and if I am not deceived in my belief since your knowledge hath a great extension lend her readily your aid The good old man at first imagined the Nurse had somewhat lost her understanding and than her passion for Orixa made her â—hink that real which was only strong in her desires because it was now fourteen hours that she had lain as dead without either pulse or heat or motion But comming neer he found the same appearances of life the Nurse had noted then cast he presently cold water in her face and made her fumes and practis'd all the means which in the like extremities are held requisite because indeed the Princess whom they took for dead was only faln into the last great conflict betwixt Nature and her grief a deadly swouning which the Greeks 〈◊〉 Lâ—thargy which as Evander tells us is only a forgetfulness not barely for that in that miâ—â—â—able condition a man forgets every thing but also that nature forgets her self and quits her â—unctions The Princess senses then by Evanders remedies being well come to eâ—â—eâ—â—shâ— opened first hâ—r eies and was agreat while dâ—zled not knowing whence she came or where she was and noâ— of power to speak a word but when she came to full remembrance she enquir'd what was become of Piroxenus
the honour of access unto you Madam and bid him get him Pen and Ink for that hee found himself yet strong enough to leave his last Will for his dear Sister under his own hand before he had made an end of it feeling his heart to fail him he charged Saradyn his Squire who is now yours to seal it with his Seal and give it to no hand but yours death came so fast upon him as he was constrain'd to leave it imperfect but he had so much reason as to see it Sealed in his presence ere he died I believe Madam by that I have collected from your words since my return his care did only tend to give you knowledge of our births and that to mitigate your sorrow for his death he would be first should tell you of his quality whose heart was vowed to you and whose services you had not scorn'd Then Orazia drew the Letter from her Pocket whereupon they wept again and after Anaxander had wip'd off his tears he thus went on to end his Story Madam said he as soon as brave Aronthus soul had taken flight among the Gods we caus'd his body to be pretiously embalm'd which though so inanimate wee accounted worthy of a Triumph if so the King thought good to grant that honour to his memory which could not be sufficiently perform'd towards so great a Prince we therefore sent a Post unto the King your Father to advertise him of what misfortune had befaln his only Son and that with common consent all the Army meant as soon as Visaporus should bee taken to conduct the Corps to Baticalus where we had understood the King with all his Court was gone since Lisimantus by his valour had regain'd it from the enemy and that we meant if he so pleased to accompany the pomp of his Funerals with that of his Triumph which he approved of Some few dayes after Saradin departed with the dead Princes Letter and we Madam drew right to Visaporus which was not three Leagues distant from us but first we summon'd them to yeeld themselves as we did also unto those of Goa Ballagate Chaul Bider and Danaget which were the Capitall Cities of Decan and which we would reduce under obedience to Orixa there was not one that made so much as shew of holding out against us but having lost their lawfull Lords and of themselves not able to maintain themselves they voluntarily submitted to the King your Father whose Authority they hop'd was much more pleasing and more honourable than the rule of two revolved slaves which only force had made them subject to Madam I fear to hold you over long if I should punctually relate you all that hapned us in Visaporus where soon the Gates were opened to us and if I should tell you all the joy and pleasures Piroxenus felt when he saw his dear and saithfull Orixa in a private house where she unknown to any other save her Nurse had liv'd under the name of Asteria know only Madam that there never was so great equality of transports or reciprocall embracements as they two exchang'd where I forbare not too to take my part as by the duty of my friendship I was bound without impediment to theirs Piroxenus began presently to talk of re-establishing his Spouse without expecting the King your fathers approbation with whose Forces only we had compass'd our designes but seeing that the heat of his passion moved him so forward I restrain'd him and far was that advised Princess to whom we had already told all our adventures and pretensions from pressing us thereto she would not give consent to be so much as known alive till we were known unto the King I mean said she to passe still for Asteria whiles my faithful husband goes for Calistenus and that Anaxander wears the name of Ariomant the gods forbid that ever I delight to reign alone or that I reckon the Decanians my Subjects till Piroxenus do receive the Oath of their Alegiance Go then said she present your selves unto the King of Narsinga like Princes as your are and you my faithfull husband do your best that solemnly our Marriage may again be shortly witnessed when Anaxanders and Orazias Weddings are solemnized We did as she commanded Madam and leaving her in a mean quality as she desir'd when we had left as Governor an old servant of Aronthus in the Castle of Visaporus we took our leaves of her and went to fetch the body where we left it which in the pomp you saw we followed to this City There Anaxander finished his History and his dear Orazia who for Orixas satisfaction as her own died almost in her longing desire that they should shew themselves unto the King for such as really they were pray'd them to be there again next evening to resolve how to contrive a matter of so great importance Meanwhile without more stay our faithfull Lovers interchang'd their Marriage faith which they confirm'd with mutuall kisses in the presence both of Piroxenus and of Lifimena too And being late they were compell'd to part untill next night although their hearts and inds were not at all divided THE INDIAN HISTORY OF AN AXANDER AND OF ORAZIA The fourth BOOK HAd the Princess been able to foresee the mischief which by Lisimantus Page the little Aquilant his treason was ordain'd them they would not have permitted his so free accesses to the Garden with them as they did I have already said he was a spie for Lisimantus who had gained him by flattery and gifts and having seen through certain rails the two Princes enter at a secret door into the Arbor without understanding either their discourse or complements imagining they had as much to say to Lisimena as to her companion Orazia he faild not on next morning early to advertise Lisimantus of it The Cavallier was yet in bed where notwithstanding his amorous thoughts had not allowd him any rest when that unfaithful Messenger came to disturb his mind more cruelly by that unhappy news than it had ever been Immediately as t is the common custom of men in love to think that only their Mistresses are look'd upon so great a power hath jealousie over the highest spirits he made himself believe that Ariomant for he knew not Anaxander but under that borrowed name was lov'd of Lisimena and since that a great courage endureth nothing more impatiently than scorn seeing another was admitted to his prejudice in private and imagining that that was the sole obstaele that hindred him from being lov'd of Lisimena he resolves him instantly to take revenge of both and to comprize as well Orazia as an accessary unto that Treason which they us'd towards him in that common losse But his generousness not suffering his choler in such sort to blinde him or to be led unto so base a revenge after a tedious consultation with himself at length his anger wholly bent to Anaxander and although himself had but three daies before assisted to
for that his arrivall must 〈◊〉 have pleased them and rather have obliged the King of Cambaya to Aispatch Pirabus in Anaxanders behalf than on the part of young Alcidaris whose unfortunate birth a thousand times a day he cursed But continuing her discourse she asked him what assurance there was of the two Princes death which he lamented Madam answered Pirabus the common report hath instructed us in that unfortunate adventure they had in Visaporus where they so beastlike were condemn'd to death I know of each particular said Orazia but certainly they died not there T is true Madam replyed Pirobus that they died not in that conflict but when Visaporus was besirged where the fair Orixa died of her Feavor a little after the King of Decan her father was murthered in his flight by a serving-man and that that cruell end which was not yet come to her knowledge had caused that of the Queen her mother who sunk under the burden of her sorrow you have understood how the two Princes Araxus and Demonax finding themselves put hardly to it fearing the two staves who desired but their lives caused Anaxander and Piroxenus our Maslers to think fit to hazard a sally upon the enemy it being the only way they could attempt to avoid the funy of Rozinloan and Zabain who would reign without impediment Now we are told Madam of all those who escaped living from that fatal sally that our Masters were there slain together with the two Princes of Decan had it not been so we should undoubtedly have since heard of them but their deaths have been confirmed to us by so many that 't were too great mincredulicy to doubt thereof The beautiful Orazia seeing that this supposed death of Anaxander and Piroxenus wrought so real a sorrow in Pirobus did think it charity to tell him the truth however not willing to do any thing without Anaxanders consent and seeing that the King her father had yet three daies to remain in Baticalus where the Embassidour had stayed him she dispatched Saradin whom she could only trust and gave him charge to hasten to her Lover with this advertisement and to come back ere Pirobus who was to do part the day following should return for Gouzarat Meanwhile when the Embassadour taking his leave kissed her hand she could not forbear saying to him that she believed those he sorrowed son were alive Saradin immediately mounted on an excellent Courser galloped with all speed to his own home and finding the two Princes together for that Piroxenus since Anaxanders hurts had not stirred out of his sight he related to them the comming of Pirobus the subject of his Embassage and the discourse he entertain'd the Princess with which much astonish'd them and made them believe that poor Evander was dead on the way They deliberated sufficiently what to do hereupon and whether it were not best to discover themselves upon that occasion seeing that if they endured the Prince Alcidaris his sute it might be feared that the King of Cambaya resolute upon that match might in very few daies hasten the accomplishment On the other side Anaxander held it no way safe to declare himself so soon after that Combat which had so much displeased the King and did most wisely foresee that they might be blamed by an imputation that being by reason of the greatnesse of their bi ths assured from the punish neut they had most rashly broken am Edict which themselves ought to have preserved inviolable within the Dominions of a King whom they loved and to whom they sought to be allied â—t length after full consideration knowing hat Pirobus was the next day to depart from Baticalus they resolved that Piroxenus should go all that night to way-lay him at his first daies lodging and make himself privately known to him and trust with his discretion the truth of all their adventures Saradin took leave of them in this resolution and very glad that Anaxander did so well of his hurts there being hope that three weeks time would make him well returned to him Mistresse who on her side rejoyced infinitely as well for the recovery of her Love as for the purpose Piroxenus had taken As soon than as the Embassadour had received the Kings commands and the two Princesses of Narsinga Zeylan and that he was departed for Baticalus he was amazed to finde at his first journeys end the King his Masters Nephew the generous Prince of Citor expecting him he at first took it for an illusion which deceived his eyes but when by his face and action and speech he knew him to be Piroxenus he cast himself up â—n one knee and weeping for joy strove to have kissed his hand But Piroxenus raising him up venerable Pirobus said he my Cousin Anaxander and my self have understood the cause of your journey by a Gentleman whom the Princess Orazia sent unto us and because the request you have made the King of Narsinga is utterly opposite to the contentment of your young Prince who contrary to the belief you have had is still alive I am as well in my own as his behalf come hither to salute you and to acquaint you with the reasons obliging us to remain yet unknown in this Kingdom And here Piroxenus made him an ample rehearsall of all their adventures and whatever good or evill had befallen them since their sally out of Visaporus where so many men thought they had both come short The good Pirobus felt so great astonishment at this recitall and so great a joy as with much difficulty could he make him answer at length having recollected his senses and the liberty of his tongue Sir said he is it possible that two great Princes as ye are would for meer pastime endure so many troubles and crosses Ah how the gods have been favourable to us contrary to all expectation in restoring us the true props of our Crown and disengaging our spirits from the just fear we had to yield in subjection all our lives unto a vicious Prince And than he would have told him of the evill nature of Alcidaris but that Piroxenus let him know that they had understood the whole story Well than Sir said Pirohus what please you that I do will you have me go back and change my errant to Anaxanders behalf I think the King his father will never disavow it and the King of Narsinga who hath been a witnesse of his vallour will be glad to conclude the match without drawing breath and specially when I shall let him know his daughter whom he loves so dearly shall be desirous of it No father said Piroxenus seeing is hath so fallen out that sage Evander to whom we declared our intensions and whom we have desired to regain the Kings good graces for us hath met with some misfortune go you with speed and supply his room and obtain that the acts of our youth may be forgotten thanks to the gods we have committed nothing worthy to be
hands ill fortune would that his horse astonish'd at the flame which hurt his eyes in passing fell with him in a ditch very neer his enemies they instantly fell upon him and being under his horse we saw without being able to help him how they took away his Lance and sword and bound him with cords as soon as they had disarm'd him Piroxenus would have returned but when I had put into his consideration that at liberty he might be much better able to serve him than if he exposed himself to bonds with him he was for that time perswaded by me and as I advised he resolved to go in dispuise to Bisnagar and try with the Princesse to save him whom he loved a thousand times more than himself As for me he commanded that I should go advertise you of that misfortune with all speed and in case they condemn'd not the Prince suddainly without any form of processe you might dispatch an Embassador to the King of Narsinga time enough to save his life And this Sir hath drawn me so hastily unto your Majesty I protest unto you I have scarce eaten or drank since this fell out for fear the least stay night cause my Masters losâ—s They cannot have carryed him as he was bound very fast and am consident it is as much as they have been able to do to bring him yesterday to Bisnagar for I gave whatever was ask'd me for fresh horses where ever I could sinde them and I believe never man made more dispatch Here Almerin ended his discourse which did not so much trouble the King but that there remained some hope for him for knowing Orazias love he believed that fair Princesse would not fail to use all her credit and power for him whom she was to marry Besider Paroxeaus his escape was another sign of comfort persuming that he would finde friends in the Court to perswade the King not to precipitate his condemnatioÌ„ that should declare himself so great a Prince untill the truth were known In the meanwhile not to lose time he sent Falantus his Gentleman of the horse in all speed with such a direction as he instantly conceiv'd Alcidaris King of Cambaya of Dulcinda of Candahar and Mandao and absolute Lord of whatsoever that great renowned River waters which giveth name unto the Indes To thee Salamas mighty King of Narsinga of Bisnagar and of Orixus and absolute Lord of the Seas which furnish all the East with Pearl his dear and well-beloved brother health I Am informed that my young son Anaxander for whose death I have twice lamented is the man who hath so worthily served thee in thy Wars under the name Ariomant and who of late hath through his youthful heat first violated thy just Edicts whereof I give thee speedy advertisement by Falantus Gentleman of my horse and by this letter signed with my Hand and Sealed with my Seal that thou mayst turn thy anger from him and use him as thy brothers son in power and equal in authority I conjure thee moreover to favor his sute and give credit to my Embassador who will tell thee that the man whom I designed for thy son in law is worthy of thy kindred and the fortune I had procur'd him as my son The King would added threats to the end of his letter in case that some misfortune might have befallen poor Anaxander ere the comming of these but he was disswaded by his counsel who were of opinion that in case nothing had yet hapned to the Princes disadvantage threats might incense the King of Narsinga and set him upon extremities which his own inclinations might not move him to wherefore they thought it sufficient to have a great Army in readynesse which Lisimantus should command and should march great journeys and be ready to powre on Narfinga and revenge an affront which they yet but feared The Queen upon this bare fear encourag'd every man to revenge it was a pitty to see her in such trouble as that new discontent had cast hâ—r into more deep than ever Like those who have run great hazards at sea and endure nothing with so great impatience as shipwrack threatned at the Haven That poor Princesse unfortunate who had so much already lamented her sons death and been battered by so many storms and crosses past was never so sensible as of this last torment which assaulted her just when she thought her self under the shelter of all manner of afflictions and misfortunes she had already flattered her self with sweet hope of embracing her son she had invited the whole Court to honor his wellcome she imagined that the tenderness of a mothers love would not afford embraces enough to cherish so vertuous a child when that sad messenger came and spoil'd her at an instant of those sweet meditations to set her spirit on the rack scarce pacifi'd with some small intervals of false joy The King would willingly have seconded her in her just sorrow and found matter of comfore for her as he was wont but the poor Prince had other things to think on for though in some sort he expected that the King of Narsinga would not proceed so fast that point was too ticklish to leave him without great cause of doubt and he was wise enough to foresee that to ground any hope upon the uncertain judgement of men was but to build upon a moving sand He therefore caused Lisimantus at the head of a hundred thousand men to depart a few daies after Falantus had his dispatch That young Knight was full of spirit and exceedingly affectionate to his Masters service and seeing that his Princes safety and the States quiet depended upon his diligence he got upon the best and swiftest horse in the Indes and resolv'd to take him at far as his heart and legs would carry him before he would take Post But whiles he does his best to come in good time to Bisnagar let us make more haste there than he and see what is done against Anaxander After that unfortunate Prince had been very hardly used on the way by those men without pitty w hose number he had so couragiously and in vain diminished he was conducted into that sad place where once he expected to receive a more gentle entertainment Piroxonus who was arriv'd but one day before him had reaped no other fruit of his diligence than lading the Princesse Orazia's spirit with affliction and sorrow by recounting to her how Anaxander was taken and pressing her to use all the means she could or his safety but the poor Lady knew not to whom to adresse her self and however violent passion she had to save her dear husband her shame too much withheld her from declaring it to the King whom she her self dared not to speak to nor knew she whom else to trust or chuse to do it in her stead That which caus'd the misfortune and the ruin of our Princes was their having lived with too much splendor and authority during